Merkel: Germany, France will "use all our power" in Moscow visit to stop bloodshed in Ukraine

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, right, talk during a military welcome ceremony at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
(The Associated Press)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses the media during a joint news conference after a meeting with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
(The Associated Press)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a media conference at the EU Council building in Brussels on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. Biden is in Brussels on a one-day trip to meet EU and Belgian leaders. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
(The Associated Press)

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she and French President Francois Hollande will "use all our power" on their visit to Moscow to try and stop the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine.

Speaking Friday before flying to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, Merkel said she couldn't speculate on whether she and Hollande, who were in Kiev for talks Thursday with the Ukrainian government, would be able to achieve a cease-fire.

She rejected reports that she and Hollande were prepared to offer more territory to Ukraine separatists, saying, as chancellor, "I will never deal with territorial questions over another country."

Merkel said she and Hollande "aren't traveling as neutral mediators" but in a bid to safeguard "national self-determination, which is part of the European order."